Hydroelectric power produced just 876 GWh of electricity in the first 50 days of this year, which is 2,390 GWh less than in the same period in 2021 and below the 900 GWh generated in 2018.
Electricity production in mainland Portugal fell by 26.2 per cent in the first 50 days of this year, compared to the same period in 2021. This is the worst 50-day period in nearly a decade, and is due above all to the drop in hydroelectric generation, which fell by 73.2 per cent, according to the Portuguese daily Jornal de Notícias.
Since the beginning of the year and up until 19 February, the electro-producing system has generated 6,217 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity, which contrasts with the 8,426 GWh produced in the same period last year. With more than 90 per cent of the country in severe or extreme drought, hydroelectric power suffered the most, producing just 876 GWh in 50 days, 2,390 GWh less than in the same period in 2021 and below the 900 GWh generated in 2018.
Energy produced from renewable sources fell by 44.3 per cent, due to the decrease in production from hydroelectric sources and the fall in wind power (down 23.3 per cent). According to the newspaper's analysis, this is the worst year for renewable energy in the ten years analysed.
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